The PM visits quake areas

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began his day-long visit to the worst quake affected areas of Kashmir on Tuesday.

Dr Singh visited Uri and Tangdhar. He also chaired a high-level meeting of officials in Srinagar to co-ordinate massive rescue and relief operations started by the central and state government.

The prime minister announced an additional assistance of Rs 500 crore to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Union government had earlier announced an ad hoc Rs 100 crore aid to the state, while Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said another Rs 42 crore would be given from the Natural Calamity fund for rehabilitation work.